Lebanese soldiers were injured after an Israeli drone strike targeted their vehicle in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon, according to an official army statement.
The incident comes amid continued military escalation in the south, despite the extension of a ceasefire on May 15 for an additional 45 days.
Separately, a Lebanese military source said Israeli forces have crossed the Litani River during ongoing operations.
Drone strike in the town of Abba
The Lebanese Army said in a statement that two soldiers sustained serious injuries after their vehicle was struck by an Israeli drone while traveling on a public road in the town of Abba in the Nabatieh district.
The injured soldiers were transferred urgently to hospital for treatment and monitoring, the statement added.
The attack took place amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes and shelling in southern Lebanon.
Reports of Israeli forces crossing the Litani River
A Lebanese military source told Qatar News Agency that Israeli forces had crossed the Litani River and reached villages north of it, including Zawtar and Shqif on the outskirts of Nabatieh.
The source said several Lebanese Army positions in villages under Israeli control had been evacuated to safeguard personnel, citing the imbalance of forces and expanded Israeli operations targeting military and security sites.
Priority on internal stability
The source declined to specify how many positions were evacuated but confirmed that Lebanese Army units are not present in areas currently under Israeli deployment.
He stressed that the army’s priority is maintaining internal stability amid domestic political tensions and ongoing indirect negotiations with Israel.
Airstrikes and evacuation warnings
Lebanese media reported that Israeli warplanes struck the towns of Froun, Ghandoorieh and Kafardounine in the Bint Jbeil district.
In a related development, the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings to residents of five villages in southern Lebanon, urging them to move north of the Zahrani River.
There were no immediate official reports on the extent of casualties or material damage resulting from the strikes.
Continued ceasefire violations
The Lebanese military source said Israeli attacks have intensified in recent days, describing them as violations of the ceasefire extended earlier this month.
Conclusion:
The injury of Lebanese soldiers and reports of Israeli forces crossing the Litani River mark a significant escalation in southern Lebanon. With continued airstrikes and evacuation warnings, concerns are mounting over further deterioration of the security situation along the border.
